Sunday, February 4, 1968

Sunday 4, Feb.,

1968

Dear Mother & Dad,

We left Guam yesterday at 1800. I was glad to get your letter and hear about the news back home.

We should arrive in Subic Bay around 1700 Wednesday, the 7th. I figured I'd go ahead and write now because mail will be going out there.

We had six hours liberty while we were in Guam. You remember my telling you about that buddy of mine from "A" school. Well, his ship is home-ported in Guam. His ship was in yesterday so I went over and saw him. He was glad I made it over and was pretty surprized. He said his wife had a baby girl on Dec. 7. He showed me some pictures and is pretty proud and would really like to get a couple of weeks leave but no chance of it. We had plenty to talk about and later on went over to the E.M. Club for a couple of beers. He was suppose to mail a letter, some postcards and pictures for me, you should have got them by now.

I was glad to get my pictures and the one of Bill. The one Uncle John took is at least something I can look at occasionally and think of you back home.

I'm glad David has been doing so good in his schoolwork. I bet he'd wear those boots to bed if you would let him.

Last week the captian was talking to the crew. One of the first things he said was, "No one is going to take the Jouett into port." We will be operating off of N. Viet Nam but from what this buddy told me there isn't really that much action at sea. He said it gets to the point where you don't even know there is a war.

I got a letter from Bill yesterday and he said he was to leave for Nam at 0930 on the 30th of Jan. I wonder if we will be fortunate to see one another over there. Only time will tell.

Since this is Sunday afternoon they have planned a jam session at 1430 for the entertainment of the crew. It will be a sort of talent show and will help take the edge off of the usual routine of the cruise.

I hope you liked the pictures. I have one more roll yet to get. I should get it in Subic Bay. If Dad can get some of those large envelopes (that I send the pictures in) at work, I would like some more. I only have one left and it may be hard to get some more.

Well thats all from this part of the world. Take care and keep me up on how things are going back home. Bye for now.

Your son,

Mike

P.S.

Can you figure out how far from home I'll be when we get in the Phillipines, Wednesday. By my figuring its about 8000 miles. Am I right? Let me know just for curiosity.